Fauna and flora
Flora of tropical, equatorial and subequatorial belts varied. Everywhere grows tseyba, pipdateniya, terminals, Combretum, brahistegiya, izoberliniya, Pandanus, tamarind, sundew, bladderwort, palms and many others. In savannas dominated by low trees and thorny shrubs (Acacia, Terminalia, Bush).
The vegetation of the desert, on the contrary, sparse, consists of small communities of grasses, shrubs and trees in the oases of high-altitude areas, and along the water. In the hollows found resistant to salt-plant halophytes. Poorer water plains and plateaus grow grasses, small shrubs and trees that are resistant to drought and heat. Flora of desert areas is well adapted to irregular rainfall. This is reflected in a wide variety of physiological adaptations, habitat preferences, creating dependence and related communities and strategies of reproduction. Long-term drought-resistant grasses and shrubs have extensive and deep (15-20 m) root system. Many herbal plants - ephemerals, which can produce seeds for three days after sufficient moisture, and sow them within 10-15 days thereafter.
In the mountainous areas of the Sahara desert meets the relict Neogene flora, the conception of kinship Mediterranean, many endemics. Among the relict woody plants that grow in mountainous areas - some of the olive, cypress and mastic. Also describes the type of acacia, tamarisk and wormwood, doom palm, oleander, date dactylon, thyme, ephedra. In the oases of cultivated figs, fig, olive and fruit trees, some citrus fruits, various vegetables. Herbal plants growing in many parts of the desert, represented by the genera triostnitsa, polevichka and millet. On the Atlantic coast is growing pribrezhnitsa and other salt-tolerant grasses. Different combinations of ephemeral form seasonal pastures, called Asheby. In reservoirs encountered algae.
In many desert areas (Regie, Hamada, partly accumulations of sand, etc.), vegetation cover is absent. Strong effects on vegetation almost all areas of human activity has had (grazing, collection of useful plants, the harvesting of fuel, etc.)
Notable plant of the Namib - tumboa or Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis). They muddle the two giant leaf, slowly increasing her life (more than 1000 years), which can exceed 3 meters in length. Leaves are attached to the stalk, which resembles a huge radish conical shape with a diameter of 60 to 120 centimeters, and sticks out of the ground at 30 inches. Roots velichivii go into the ground at a depth of 3 m. Velichiviya known for its ability to grow in extremely dry conditions, using the dew and fog as the main source of moisture. Welwitschia - endemic to northern Namibia - is depicted on the state coat of arms of Namibia.
In a little more humid areas of the desert meets the other known plant Namibia - nara (Acanthosicyos horridus), (endemic), which grows on sand dunes. Its fruits are the food base and source of moisture for many animals, African elephants, antelopes, porcupines, etc.
Since prehistoric times in Africa remained the largest number of representatives of megafauna. Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn equatorial zone inhabited by a variety of mammal species: the okapi, antelope (Duiker, bongos), pygmy hippopotamus, Red River hog, warthog, galago, monkey, flying squirrel (iglohvostaya), lemurs (on about. Madagascar), civet cat, chimpanzees, gorillas, etc . Nowhere in the world do not have such an abundance of large animals, as in the African savanna: elephants, hippopotamuses, lions, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, antelope (eland), zebras, monkeys, secretary bird, hyenas, African ostrich, surikaty. Some elephants, buffaloes and kaffskie white rhinos live only in the reserves.
Among the birds predominate Jaco, Turaco, guinea fowl, hornbills (Hornbill), cockatoos, marabou.
Reptiles and amphibians of tropical equatorial belt of Cancer and Capricorn - Mamba (one of the most poisonous snakes in the world), crocodile, python, frog, frog drevolazy and marble.
In humid climates distributed anopheles mosquito and the tsetse fly that causes sleeping sickness as a man, as in mammals.